31404
Seminar
WiSe 24/25: Politics of Irrationality
Guram Kvaratskhelia
Kommentar
Under the rubric of “Politics of Irrationality,” this seminar aims to analyze socially detrimental political phenomena and outcomes that, on the surface, seem relatively easy to avoid, yet recur persistently across different contexts and periods. States choose to go to war despite its immense destructiveness for all participants; governmental agencies, often equipped with sophisticated bureaucratic procedures and substantial resources, can be woefully inadequate in preventing or responding to catastrophic events within or beyond their control; well-meaning state projects can backfire in spectacular fashion; and populist leaders can rise to power by exploiting irrational fears and biases, leading to policies that undermine democratic institutions and long-term stability.
Throughout the seminar, students will engage with theoretical perspectives and empirical research from political science, social anthropology, behavioral economics, and history, with the aim of fostering a deeper understanding of the various mechanisms through which such suboptimal political outcomes come about. By critically analyzing relevant texts with a special focus on Eastern Europe and Eurasia, students will gain insights into the complexity of political processes, the challenges of governance, and the potential unintended consequences of well-intentioned actions.
Active participation: two short critical analyses of assigned readings, either in written form (approximately 500 words each) or as 10-minute in-class presentations. Schließen
Throughout the seminar, students will engage with theoretical perspectives and empirical research from political science, social anthropology, behavioral economics, and history, with the aim of fostering a deeper understanding of the various mechanisms through which such suboptimal political outcomes come about. By critically analyzing relevant texts with a special focus on Eastern Europe and Eurasia, students will gain insights into the complexity of political processes, the challenges of governance, and the potential unintended consequences of well-intentioned actions.
Active participation: two short critical analyses of assigned readings, either in written form (approximately 500 words each) or as 10-minute in-class presentations. Schließen
16 Termine
Regelmäßige Termine der Lehrveranstaltung
Mi, 16.10.2024 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 23.10.2024 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 30.10.2024 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 06.11.2024 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 13.11.2024 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 20.11.2024 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 27.11.2024 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 04.12.2024 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 11.12.2024 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 18.12.2024 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 08.01.2025 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 15.01.2025 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 22.01.2025 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 29.01.2025 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 05.02.2025 12:00 - 14:00
Mi, 12.02.2025 12:00 - 14:00